Jays lose series to Red Sox

Last-place Boston takes two of three at Rogers Centre

Associated Press

Updated 12:31 am, Monday, September 21, 2015

Photo: Vaughn Ridley

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TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Rusney Castillo #38 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates the victory with teammates following a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 20, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 538595185 less

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Rusney Castillo #38 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates the victory with teammates following a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 20, 2015 in Toronto, ... more

Photo: Vaughn Ridley

Jays lose series to Red Sox

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Toronto

The Toronto Blue Jays don't have much time to dwell on Sunday's dismal defensive performance. Come Monday night, the AL East leaders have a showdown with the New York Yankees to focus on.

The Blue Jays matched a season high with three errors, two of which led to runs Sunday in a 4-3 loss to the last-place Boston Red Sox.

"We've been playing outstanding defense, so we were due for a clunker like this," said pitcher Mark Buehrle, a four-time Gold Glover whose errant relay throw in the fourth inning led to Boston's first run. "We've just got to come back tomorrow and be ready for the Yankees."

Center fielder Kevin Pillar made an accurate throw to the plate on Bradley's fly ball, but the short hop skipped past catcher Dioner Navarro as Sandoval scored standing up.

Toronto's lead in the AL East was reduced to 21/2 games over the Yankees, who beat the Mets, 11-2. The Blue Jays now host the Yankees in a three-game series.

The Red Sox went into the weekend in last place and took two of three at Rogers Centre. Boston rallied from an early 3-0 deficit in the wrapup, handing Toronto just its third series defeat since July 30.

Rich Hill (1-0) struck out 10 in his first big-league win since July 14, 2013, when he pitched in relief for Cleveland. He gave up three runs and seven hits in seven innings. He walked none and was one shy of his career high for strikeouts.

Hill, who fanned 10 at Tampa Bay last week, became the first pitcher in Red Sox history to strike out at least 10 in each of his first two Boston starts.

"He's been really special these past two outings," Bradley Jr. said. "It's fun playing behind him, that's for sure."

It was 3-all when Cecil (3-5) couldn't field Sandoval's short grounder to open the eighth. Mark Lowe came in to pitch and Sandoval took second on a groundout and then moved to third on Sandy Leon's single.

Lovullo acknowledged that Boston was fortunate to take the lead when Pillar's throw eluded Navarro.

The unearned run snapped Cecil's scoreless innings streak at 26. He hadn't allowed a run since June 21 against Baltimore.

Noe Ramirez worked the eighth and Robbie Ross Jr. finished for his fourth save and second in two days. Ross struck out pinch-hitter Justin Smoak to end it, stranding the tying run at second.

Nationals:Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 in an encore to one of the best starts of his career, and Yunel Escobar had four hits and four RBIs as Washington beat the Miami Marlins 13-3. The Nationals moved within 6 games of the NL East-leading Mets, who lost to the Yankees, 11-2. Escobar was 4-for-4 and had a three-run double in a seven-run sixth inning. Strasburg (10-7) allowed two runs — one earned — in seven innings as Washington won its third straight. He tied a career high with 14 strikeouts in his previous start and has 37 strikeouts over his past three outings. Bryce Harper had three hits, including a double, and scored three times.

Royals: Kendrys Morales homered three times and set a team record with 15 total bases, and Kansas City routed the Detroit Tigers 10-3, avoiding a sweep in the three-game series. Morales also hit a triple — only his second of the season — and Christian Colon had a career-high four hits for the AL Central-leading Royals. Paulo Orlando also homered for Kansas City.